Suwannee Countians, it's time to speak your mind! How? By calling the Suwannee Democrat Rant and Rave hotline. The hotline never closes and is your way to let it out. You can let everyone know how you feel -- as long as you express yourself in a respectful way.

Note: In written entries to Rant and Rave, errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation are those of the authors.

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It would be so nice to receive a smile and thank you and a how do you do at the license bureau at the motor vehicle in downtown Live Oak. It seems whenever we go in there they act as if we're bothering them and they are doing us a huge favor. They can barely look you in the eye, some of them. And we would just like a few pleasantries.

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I'd like to rave about the policeman on 129 south that directs the traffic for the school each morning. He's doing a wonderful job. And thanks to our police department.

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I'd like to thank the Democrat for putting a free lost and found ad in for my Siamese cat. He was returned to us within, I think, 10 days by a lovely lady who works at the Waffle House. And thank you so much again it was wonderful to get that free ad and get our lovely cat returned to us.

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I'm wondering what happened to bank examiners. Do they have them any more? When I was in the banking business the federal, the state and the FDIC all had bank examiners coming around checking banks. What happened to them? Thank you.

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I'm calling about the wallet my daughter and I found at the Winn Dixie shopping cart Saturday. We turned it in to Winn Dixie at the cigarette counter. Thank you. I don't know your name, I'm sorry.

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I rode down to see Millenium nites last Friday to find the sign gone and was told there will be no more Mille. nites. I read that the Mayor and Council were suppose to help out with the finances to keep it going. But once again leave it up to the good ole boys. And once again they give these big raises, 6.6 percent. I was told the budget was in bad shape, apparently not. I can't believe we keep these guys in office. During the recent election we made some good changes. It's time for more. Mille. nites will be greatly missed.

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I would like to rant and rave on behalf of those who no longer can due to the fact they came across or personally have had a drinking problem and were driving, driving an extra distance under the influence because of our dry county status. Unfortunately they are symbolized by a cross on the side of the road. However, we can wake up to the fact that a dry county does not keep anyone from drinking. Alcohol is alcohol, DUI is DUI and dead is dead. So there is no such thing as a partially dry county, or a dry county that stops an alcoholic from getting a drink. Wake up, Suwannee County, and let's stop counting the crosses.

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Take take, take. Who has ever been hurt by helping people? Commissioners Udell and Hatch take the closest parking spaces to the courthouse annex. These parking spaces are for people coming to pay their hard earned money for taxes or to do other business with the county. I work for Suwannee County and for the past five years have parked behind Miss Williams' office rain or shine. Did anyone go to the budget hearing? Commissioners Udell and Hatch blew a gasket when the commission voted three to two to lower the taxes to eight mills. Take, take, take. It's time that they take one more thing, a hike.

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Parents, it is utmost important that the school system has your current phone numbers and address. Let the school know of any changes in numbers or address. In an emergency with your child at school time is valuable not wasting time going through several numbers that are no longer in existence. Thank you. Think of your child's welfare. I hope you publish this, it is very important.

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Callers to 208-8314 may express their thoughts, good or bad, 24/7 about community issues and politics, but not about private individuals or businesses. If you prefer, you may e-mail your comments to nf.editorial@gaflnews.com. You don't have to give your name, and please, take no more than 30-45 seconds for your comments. Let us know what's bugging you.